By Ukongikwuen Adie
The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, Ph.D., has called on journalists across the state and the country to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
He made this call on Thursday during a one-day conference organized by the Cross River State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), held at the Calabar Municipal Garden Hall. Represented by his Press Secretary, Fred Abua, Esq., the Deputy Governor emphasized the critical role of the media in shaping public discourse, deepening democratic values, driving development, and promoting accountability in governance.
Dr. Odey reaffirmed the commitment of the Senator Bassey Otu-led administration to creating a media-friendly environment, pledging continuous collaboration with the press to ensure accurate and responsible reporting that benefits the state and its people.
He cautioned against the dangers of sensationalism, falsehood, and personal bias in journalism, urging practitioners to prioritize accuracy and fact-checking before publication.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Chairman of the NUJ, Cross River State Council, Comrade Archibong Bassey, underscored the importance of the conference, themed “Journalism, Good Governance and the Quest for Sports Development: The Cross River Perspective.” She noted that the forum provided a platform to deliberate on the implementation of the national sports policy within the state context, which she said would serve as a catalyst for enhancing sports development and youth engagement.
Comrade Bassey emphasized the strategic role of the media in shaping public policy and influencing positive change, encouraging participants to actively contribute to the discussions.
The event, which formed part of the 2025 Media Week Celebration in the state, attracted a host of dignitaries including the Vice Chairman/CEO of the State Planning Commission, Dr. Bong Duke; Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Nsa Gill; Director of Homeland Security (South), Mr. Mike Nsan; and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports Development, Mr. Sam Egbala.
Also in attendance were media professionals, top government functionaries, and representatives from civil society organizations, all of whom commended the relevance of the conference and pledged to strengthen the media’s role in driving governance and development in Cross River State.
